The Meaning of Pentecost
Did the early Christians celebrate Pentecost?
Acts 2:1
Acts 20:16
1 Corinthians 16:8
When Is Pentecost?
Leviticus 23:15-16
According to the Bible, Pentecost should always be celebrated on “the day after the seventh Sabbath,” fifty days after the wave sheaf offering. The wave sheaf was offered on the Sunday during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:10-11). So the count begins and ends on a Sunday.
See How to Count Pentecost for a detailed explanation.
See the Holy Day Calendar for the date of Pentecost this year.
What is the wave sheaf offering?
Leviticus 23:9-14
Who does the wave sheaf offering represent?
The wave sheaf was the first sheaf of the firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9). Who does this represent?
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
Revelation 1:5
Did Jesus ascend to heaven at the same time the wave sheaf was raised up as an offering to God?
John 20:17
Note: Jesus told Mary, “do not touch Me.” Many Bibles use the word “cling to” or “hold on to” instead of “touch,” but the same word is always translated “touch” in other Bible verses.
Jesus did not let Mary touch Him because He had not ascended to heaven as the wave sheaf offering yet.
Did He tell His disciples to touch Him that evening?
Luke 24:39
Names of Pentecost and Their Meaning
Pentecost is a Greek word that means “fiftieth.”
In the Hebrew Scriptures, Pentecost is called “the Feast of Weeks” and “the firstfruits of the wheat harvest” (Exodus 34:22). The “Day of Firstfruits” is another name for the Feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26).
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks.”
What ceremony did the Israelites perform on Pentecost?
Leviticus 23:17
Who do these “firstfruit” loaves represent?
James 1:18
Romans 8:23
Revelation 14:4
These loaves represent the few people whom God is calling now, who will be the first part of God’s harvest.
God plans to gather everyone into His family, but not yet. The great harvest of all people is represented by the Feast of Tabernacles, which is also called the “Feast of Ingathering” (Exodus 23:16). Those who have already died without knowing God will harvest during the Eighth Day.
What does the leaven in the two loaves represent?
Matthew 13:33
Note: During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, leaven represents pride and sin. But at Pentecost, the leaven represents the Kingdom of God, which starts very small, but will fill the earth after Christ returns.
Is Pentecost a day of assembly and rest?
Leviticus 23:21
What else should we do on Pentecost?
Deuteronomy 16:16
What did God promise He would do after Jesus went to heaven?
John 14:26
Acts 1:4-9
What happened on the Day of Pentecost?
Acts 2 (whole chapter)
Who is the promise of the holy spirit available to?
Acts 2:38-39
Note: The holy spirit is currently available “to as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Is God calling everyone now?
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Romans 1:5-7
Matthew 13:10-16
Will God’s spirit be available to everyone after Christ returns?
Joel 2:28-29
What must you do to receive God’s spirit?
Mark 16:16
Acts 2:38
Acts 5:32
Luke 3:7-13
Acts 8:14-17; 19:1-6
Is it necessary to speak with tongues?
Some people teach that one must speak in tongues as evidence that you have received the holy spirit. Is this teaching biblical?
1 Corinthians 12:4, 7-11, 29-30
Note: The gift of tongues was given to some when they were baptized as a sign (1 Corinthians 14:22). In most of the examples of baptism in the Bible, people did not receive the gift of tongues.
Should people speak in tongues without an interpreter?
1 Corinthians 14:27-28, 33
Note: The Greek, “tongue” is the word for “language.”
What do those who receive God’s spirit become part of?
1 Corinthians 12:13
Colossians 1:18, 24
Summary
Pentecost teaches us the third step in God’s plan. God is calling a few people now to be the firstfruits of His harvest. Those who believe, repent, obey God, are baptized, and have hands laid on them receive the gift of the holy spirit. When they receive God’s spirit, they become members of God’s Church, and they prepare to rule with Christ in His kingdom.